130.00 USD
Chrysoprase is a distinct gemstone quality variety of chalcedony quartz, a cryptocrystalline form of silicon dioxide. Chrysoprase is highly prized for its opalescent minty, apple-green color, which is especially unique and is owed to its distinctive coloring agent.
Most green gemstones are colored by iron (tourmaline), chromium (emerald) or vanadium (tsavorite garnet), but chrysoprase derives its alluring color from nickel impurities, which form within otherwise colorless quartz crystal. Chrysoprase is considered to be one of the rarest and most valuable varieties of chalcedony quartz.
Chrysoprase deposits can be found in locations all around the world. Some of the most important sources include Australia, Brazil, Germany, Poland, Russia, South Africa, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Madagascar, India, Kazakhstan and the United States (Arizona, Oregon and California).
These Chrysoprase beads were mined in Tanzania.
This necklace also features fine gold vermeil Karen Hill Tribe beads. These beads have been handcrafted by artisans of the Karen Hill Tribe of northern Thailand. These skilled artisans use traditional methods of silversmithing that have been handed down from generation-to-generation.